Elevator-indicator



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

Patented Jan. 3, 1893."

(No Model.) I N.-HISS.

ELEVATOR INDIGATOR.- No. 489,005.

FI'G I. f

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2'.

- N. HISS.

ELEVATOR INDICATOR. v No. 489,005. Patented Jan. 3, 1893.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NELSON I-IISS, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

ELEVATOR-INDICATOR.-

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 489,005, dated January 3, 1893.

Application filed March .24, 1892- Serial No- 426,264. (No model.)

tion is to indicate the position of the car and the direction in which it is moving- Indicators in use are operated mechanically,

and are objectionable on account of their liability to derangement, and the frequent attention they require to keep them in order.

The familiar form of indicator in most general use comprises a finger which travels in unison with the car, and shows by a graduated is designed to be certain and reliable in action, while of very simple construction.

In carrying out the invention I arrange a fixed conductor in the form of a strip or rail,

extending the length of the elevator shaft, and divided into sections, electrically insulated from each other, at the several floors. These sections form parts respectively of sev eral parallel or multiple are circuits each of which leads to an indicator magnet at each of the floors. These magnets control each a visual signal,such as an 'annunciator shutter or the like, and as a sliding brush or spring contact carried by the car closes the several branch-circuits in succession, the visual signals will operate, one after another, as the car passes from floor tofloor, andby their number and order of operation show the position and-direction of motion of the car.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, wherein I have shown my indicator as applied to an elevator in a three story building, Figure I is a diagram of the elevator shaft showing the indicators (on \the difierent floors), the elevator,

- and their electrical connections; Fig. II, a

- vertical central section through'the indicarespective floors of the building; Extending lengthwise of the elevator shaft is a fixed conductor divided into sections C, 0 G each extending from one floor to the next, the several strips or sections being insulated.

D is a spring contact or brush secured to the elevator and making a sliding contact with the fixed strips 0', C C Spring contact D is connected with one pole of a generator D by a flexible conductor D which travels with the elevator car.

' The floor sections 0, O, O constitute terminals of several parallel branches of the main-circuit, each branch containing an operating magnet for operating a visual signal at each floor. This part of the system is shown in Figs. II and III, which represent the construction of the indicators, which are alike at all the floors. a I

F, F ll represent the controlling magnets inclosed in a casing F, there being one mag net in each of the branches of the main circuit, that is one for each floor; and it will of course be understood that the magnet F at any floor is connected in series with all the other magnets Ff at the other floors, so that 1 when the car is between the first and second floors the circuit will be closed through all the magnets F The circuit of the first floor may be traced from the strip of section G by wire 0 to the magnet F at the uppermost indicator, thence by wire d to the corresponding indicator magnet at the second floor,

thence by wire e to the first floor indicator and thence by wire to the point 5, where all the branches unite. The other branch cir description.

Each magnet when energized operates a'.

visual signal so as to display an appropriate numeral. As shown in the drawings the visual signals are in the form of disks g, 9 g each .pinionsf referred to above. Normally (t'. e.

when the controlling magnet is out of circuit) the arms rest against stop pins 7., a spring t or weight 7, being used to depress the arms G.

When, however, the circuit of the magnet is closed, the latter attracting its armature will lift the arms G, causing the spindle g to make a half turn and thus display the side normally turned inward, upon which side the number designating the position of the car is inscribed. Thus in Fig. 1, the car being at the second floor, the number 2 is displayed at each of the indicators.

Having fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentis:

1. In an electrical indicator system for elevators, the combination with fixed conducting strips, one for each floor, and forming the terminals of multiple arc branches of the signaling circuit; a brush carried by the car, and adapted to close the circnitof said branches in succession as the car moves from floor to floor, a series of indicator magnets in each branch, a series of rotatable disks each havon one side the numeral of the branch to which its controlling magnet belongs, and gearing for rotating each disk so as to expose its numeral when the armature of its magnet isattracted, and for rotating it to its normal position when the circuit of, the magnet is broken, substantially as described.

2. In an electrical indicator for elevators, the combination with the casing, of a shaft jonrnaled therein, an indicating disk or plate on the shaft, apinion, a. rack-bar pivoted to the casing, a rack on the rack-bar engaging the said pinion, an armature on the rack-bar, and a magnet in the casing above the armature, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribingiwitnesses.

. NELSON HISS.

Witnesses:

J NO. S. BYERLY, WM. H. JONES. 

